Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has sought the support of the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) in the fight against economic sabotage, criminal damage of pipelines and theft through illegal bunkering of petroleum products.
Fubara made the appeal yesterday when the chief of air staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar paid him a courtesy call at Government House in Port Harcourt.
The governor noted the dire situation in which the national economy was immersed with Nigerians facing difficult times in their attempt to cope with the challenges, saying that the Nigerian Airforce cannot leave the fight against economic saboteurs to the navy or the government alone.
He sued for an effective synergy and collaboration among all the security agencies so that they can work with the state government in identifying, chasing and arresting the criminal elements on land, sea and air who sabotage the national economy and ensure that they are prosecuted.
Fubara said: “I want to tell you, the entire Airforce, that we are having a difficult time in this country, so try as much as you can to see what you can do, we are ready to work with you to reduce economic sabotage.
“Illegal bunkering is a big issue and it is something not to leave in the hands of the navy or the Army, but every body needs to work together.
“Those things we can’t see while on ground, you can access from aerial view. When we work together, I believe nothing is impossible to conquer.
“I appeal to you to order the commander in charge of this base to work with us because we intend to start a new fighting arrangement against illegal bunkering activities.”
Responding to demands from the chief of air staff, the governor assured that the state commissioner for special projects will be directed to do assessment of what is left to be done on the Airforce Runway and the two blocks of buildings as accommodations for Airforce officers.
In his speech, chief of air staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar said he was in the state to inspect facilities at 115 Special Operations Group and also interact with the Airforce personnel.
Abubakar commended Fubara for sustaining the relationship between the state government and the Airforce, and for prioritising issues of education and youth empowerment that will reduce security challenges.
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